This delightful falls at the Elwha River Entrance to Olympic National Park is wheel chair accessible on a short paved 200 foot path to the base of the falls.

Location: Olympic National Park at the Elwha River Entrance.

Latitude: 48.0419
Longitude: 123.5885

Travel Instructions: From Port Angeles travel west on Highway 101 to the Elwha Valley Road. Then travel two miles up the Elwha Valley Road to the Entrance Station to Olympic National Park and into the parking lot to your left and look for the sign for Madison Falls.

Notes: The National Park Service literature states the falls to be over 100 feet tall. If so, it is not visible from the viewing point. A better guess for the part you can see is about 40 feet. In all, a very nice falls year-round near a scenic area of historic importance in the Elwha Valley. Look for Park signs that give more history for the broad meadow adjacent to the parking area.

This hidden gem of Olympic National Park is at the end of a very steep downhill hiking trail of about .4 miles.

Location: Elwha River Road then to Whiskey Bend Road.

Latitude: 47.97040
Longitude: 123.5906

Travel Instructions: From Port Angeles travel west on Highway 101 to the Elwha Valley Road. Travel two miles up the Elwha Valley Road to the Entrance Station to Olympic National Park. Travel two more miles up this road and just past the ranger station turn left on the gravel road signed Whiskey Bend. Travel four miles on this rather narrow and windy road being careful to watch for oncoming traffic. The falls is not marked, and parking is along the road in a narrow pullout. There is only a small sign that says "Mills Lake .4" miles. Hike the steep trail to the bottom. Follow the trail to where the Elwha River enters Lake Mills, and then turn right, to where Wolf Creek flows into the lake. Walk upstream less than 100 feet to the base of the falls.

Notes: This moderate to difficult trail descends quickly to the very south tip of Lake Mills. It is steep, and good hiking shoes and a walking stick are especially helpful for the return trip up the hill. This trail is the only way to the falls by land -what goes down must come up! Wolf Creek is actually a two tier waterfalls, and only the lower portion is visible, unless you bushwhack up a steep slope for a partial view of the upper tier.

The waters of Falls Creek drop nearly 90 feet from a cliff into a small plunge pool near the trail below. Stairs to the right of the falls allow views of the upper segment.

Location: An easy 0.8 mile hike from Storm King Visitor Center on Lake Crescent.

Latitude: 48.0496
Longitude: 123.7888

Travel Instructions: The falls is just off US Highway 101 about 22 miles west of Port Angeles (or xx miles east of Forks) along the shore of Lake Crescent. Park at the Storm King Visitor Center and follow the signs.

Notes: This is a great year round waterfall seen by many Olympic National Park visitors. The Park Service seasonally offers nature tours. If it is open, stop at the historic reconstructed ranger station for more information about the Park.

A stunning signature falls of national prominence in Olympic National Park.

Location: Olympic National Park at the end of Sol Duc Road after a 0.8 mile hike.

Latitude: 47.9514
Longitude: 123.8191

Travel Instructions: Drive west from Fairholm on Highway 101 approximately 1.8 miles to the road for Sol Duc Hot Springs. Drive approximately 12 miles up the road to the parking lot at the Sol Duc Trailhead. Hike on easy trail 0.8 miles, just past the rebuilt CCC era Canyon Creek Shelter (aka Sol Duc Shelter) and you will see (and hear) the falls, viewable up close on a bridge crossing the Sol Duc River.

Notes: This is a great year-round falls. In contrast to most falls you will view on the Olympic Peninsula, this one is viewed from just above stream level. In the rainy season, and early spring runoff this falls can be spectacular as it thunders beneath your feet.

This small but picturesque falls is a hidden gem along the south shore of the Upper Hoh River in rainforest country.

Location: View the falls from the Upper Hoh River.

Latitude: 47.8040
Longitude: 124.0895

Notes: This little known falls is best viewed from the water. Rafting services are available on the Upper Hoh.

The Quinault Valley is rain forest country, for sure. It also contains the highest concentration of viewable waterfalls reasonably close to roadside and on short trails. The falls in the Quinault Group (Willaby Creek, Gatton Creek, Merriman, and Bunch Creek) are adjacent to the South Shore Road along the south shore of Lake Quinault and further up the valley, the Quinault River. Two other falls, Cascade and Falls Creek, are on this stretch of road (Pictures and descriptions not yet available). The falls of the Quinault group may be viewed in sequence after turning off US Hiway 101 and driving easterly along the South Shore Road up the Quinault Valley. General Directions: Travel south from Forks 66 miles, or north from Aberdeen 40 miles along US Highway 101 to South Shore Road. Along this road that traces the shore of Lake Quinault, you will see the historic Quinault Lodge, Rain Forest Resort and a number of Forest Service Campgrounds. For persons interested in federal land ownership detail, mostly you will be in the Olympic National Forest instead of Olympic National Park which begins further up the South Shore Road near Merriman Falls.

Location: South Shore Road of Lake Quinault

Latitude: 47.0641
Longitude: 123.8600

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 101 drive 1.4 miles up the South Shore Road to the "Rain Forest Nature Trail," and park in the lot. Follow this ½ mile loop trail toward Willaby Creek, where you will encounter the small but impressive gorge containing the falls. There is a small path which diverts away from the main trail and under the bridge on South Shore Road. There you will see a footbridge across Willaby Creek and from it a view of the falls.

Notes: The Rain Forest Nature Trail in the Olympic National Forest is an easy and fun filled 0.5 mile loop with interpretive signs, and a wide array of things to see, the falls among them. The trail can be walked in about 45-60 minutes.

Gatton Creek Falls is a classic tiered falls with a series of straight drops.

Location: South Shore Road of Lake Quinault
Latitude: 46.4691
Longitude: 123.8327

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 101 take South Shore Road approximately 3.5 miles to the Gatton Creek Campground. Across the road is the trailhead for a .6 mile hike on moderate trail to the falls. Alternatively, begin at the Rainforest Resort for a .4 mile hike to the falls.

Notes: The falls drops approximately 60 feet in stair step fashion, but not all drops are visible from one vantage point. A very nice falls.

This 40 feet high roadside waterfall is easily accessible within a few feet of the road, and a delight to view and photograph

Location: South Shore Road of Lake Quinault

Latitude: 47.5004
Longitude: 123.7829

Travel Instructions: This waterfall is located 3.5 miles east of Gatton Creek Campground on the South shore road of Lake Quinault.

Notes: Though it may contain flow through most of the year the best time to view is October through May. What a nice fall to photograph in the rainy weather. The relative open terrain around the base provides viewing from different perspectives, and creative photography. Merriman is one of the better known of the Quinault area falls.

Bunch Creek Falls is one of the larger of the falls in this area. Boasting a height of nearly 60 feet and traveling down through a series of rock drops this falls can produce a pretty good spray during the Spring runoff or the rainy season. .

Location: South Shore Road of Lake Quinault at the Olympic Park boundary

Latitude: 47.5289
Longitude: 123.6959

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 101 this falls is located up South Shore Road approximately 12 miles, just inside the Olympic National Park Boundary. There may be a Park Boundary sign just before crossing Bunch Creek bridge.

Notes: Most photographers use the bridge to shoot, especially when there is high runoff. The falls has several other perspectives from which photos can be taken depending on stream flow and falls spray.

Enchanted Valley is a destination for the persistent backpacker who wants to experience a seasonal phenomenon of ephemeral falls that spring forth from the high mountainsides of an unspoiled mountain valley deep within Olympic National Park. It is a one or two day backpack trip into Enchanted Valley, also called the "Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls." An exaggeration, perhaps, but certainly a well deserved description of this very special place.

Location: A 13 mile one way backpack trip up the East Fork of the Quinault River

Latitude: 47.6712
Longitude: 123.3893

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 101 take the South Shore Road to its end and then follow the signs to Graves Creek Campground, 17 miles up the gravel road. Turn right and park in the gravel parking area.

Notes: The scores of seasonal falls of the more than one mile long Enchanted Valley are mostly visible in spring and early summer only. Snowmelt and spring rainfall in the high drainages run down steep slopes and cliffs permitting water to cascade at will down to the glacially carved valley floor below, creating a virtual amphitheater of waterfalls. The trail to Enchanted Valley follows the East Fork of the Quinault River for some 13 miles. This is a wonderful trip in itself. Consult Olympic National Park website for current trail and weather conditions, as the river may wash out trail and bridges each year. River fords in swift cold water are possible. This area has a large black bear population, and herds of elk are often found in the area. Cars left at this remote trailhead have been subject to vandalism.

Wynoochee Falls is one of the few punchbowl form falls of our area, and where the falls drops to a n idyllic swimming hole on the river.

Location: Upstream of Wynoochee Lake at the closed Wynoochee Lake Campground. Route finding skills on sparsley marked forest roads are a necessity.

Latitude: 47.4715
Longitude: 123.5262

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 12 at Montesano, turn north on Wynoochee Valley Road (1 mile west of Montesano) Drive approximately 35 miles on the Wynoochee Valley Road (also called FR 22) to a major intersection with FR2270 just below the Wynoochee dam. Drive straight ahead on FR 2270 approximately 8.3 miles to Wynoochee Falsl Campground (closed at last report). Hike any of the several trails to the falls on the west side of the campground on the river. Alternatively, from US Highway 101 north of Aberdeen, travel the Donkey Creek Road (FR 22) approximately 22.3 miles to just below the Wynoochee Dam and connect with FR 2270, taking a left turn at the intersection traveling 8.3 miles to Wynoochee Falls Campground.

Notes: This is a long drive, partly on gravel roads, requiring route finding skills, but well worth the trip to view a low, two tier punchbowl form falls of 25 feet that is more or less an all season viewing falls. Three or even four small stream channels separately tumble down jagged rock and flow into the crystal clear pool at the base of the falls during lower flows. It is most impressive in the rainy season or spring runoff. Lake Wynoochee and the Dam alone are worth the trip.

This very scenic (and photogenic) falls on a steep gradient river at this point in the river, drops 75 feet in two tiers of approximately 25 and 50 feet, in a gorge below a high concrete bridge.

Location: At the end of Hamma Hamma Road (FR 25) just before the trailhead for Mildred Lakes in the Skokmish Wilderness Area.

Latitude: 47.5757
Longitude: 123.2595

Travel Instructions: On US Highway 101 south from Brinnon (or north from Hoodsport) turn west on Hamma Hamma Road (Forest Road 25) for 6.4 miles, and at "T" junction, just past Hamma Hamma Campground and the Cabin Creek road, turn right following signs for Lena Creek, Continue approximately 7 miles on FR 25 to the bridge over the Hamma Hamma River just before it ends at the Mildred Lakes trailhead.

Notes: The falls is just downstream and nearly under a high bridge that crosses the gorge. Photos of the falls capturing both tiers, without the bridge, are difficult unless you backtrack down the road a few hundred feet and hop the guardrail, then very carefully walk down over the bank to a precarious spot on the slope.

This 80-120 foot horsetail type seasonal waterfall is visible on the far slope of an impressive and rather deep and steep canyon of the Quilcene River.

Location: Falls View Campground just off US Highway 101, between Quilcene and Brinnon.

Latitude: 47.7911
Longitude: 122.9291

Travel Instructions: This waterfall is located just off US Highway 101 at Falls View Campground (US Forest Service), a distance of 4 miles south of Quilcene or 9 miles north of Brinnon. A short easy trail begins in the south loop (left side) of the campground along the course of the Big Quilcene River far below. If the campground gate is closed park at the entrance and walk in less than ¼ mile to the south loop and access the trail.

Notes: Sometimes referred to as Campground Falls by locals, this falls is best viewed in autumn through spring, as the drainage of this unnamed stream is small. It can dry up during summer.

Rocky Brook, a horsetail form falls, is one of the larger and more frequently visited falls on Hood Canal, and an easy short walk, even in the rain.

Location: West of Brinnon up the Dosewallips River Road about 3 miles.

Latitude: 47.7210
Longitude: 122.9416

Travel Instructions: From US Highway 101 along Hood Canal, just north of Brinnon travel west on Dosewallips Road for 3 miles, following the river of that name to the Rocky Brook Bridge. Park on the left side after crossing the bridge. The trail to the falls passes the small building on the north side of the road, and the falls is found less than two hundred yards up the trail.

Notes: This scenic falls is part of a hydroelectric generation facility. This falls is a year round favorite, often with large flow, but do not expect to be here alone on a warm summer afternoon as the cool mist of the falling water is an attraction to all who know of the spot. There is not public parking per se, but thanks to a gracious roadside property owner there is adequate parking for most visitors. However, trash seems to be a problem with discourteous visitors. If you see litter, please help out and pick it up. Nobody seems to know the origin of the term "brook" as most of us in the West call a small water body of this type a "creek" or even a "river. Incidentally "Stony Brook" is about four drainages up stream, so maybe the naming was an Easterner trying to hold on to his roots.

It is tough to say whether the falls on Vincent Creek, or "The High Steel Bridge" which spans the narrow deep canyon of the South Fork of the Skokomish River is the real attraction here. The elevation from bridge deck to the stream below is reportedly 420 feet. Locals just say High Steel Bridge, which incidentally has a falls nearby on Vincent Creek to the west as you cross the bridge. This narrow falls with a drop of about 125 feet is best viewed in winter and early spring, when the small watershed above has sufficient runoff to deliver to the falls; it may even be running sparsely, or near dry, by early summer into the early fall before rains restore the flow.

Location: South Fork Skokomish River 9.8 miles from US Highway 101 north of Shelton

Latitude: 47.3679
Longitude: 123.2816

Travel Instructions: From Hwy 101 north of Shelton, take the Skokomish Valley Rd. for 5 miles to FS Rd. #23. Go 2.4 miles to FS Rd. #2340, and follow it for another 2.4 miles. Park on either end of the narrow bridge crossing the gorge.

Notes: The bridge was originally built as a logging railroad bridge, and is still in use for car and truck travel. Vertigo is a word that comes to mind while standing mid-span and looking over the side to the rock filled and narrow gorge with rushing water far below, or to the falls, just to the west of the bridge. Photographing this falls is benefited by use of a telephoto lens of focal length 100-200mm. You may see an occasional adventure seeking (read as crazy) kayaker trying to run this stretch of the South Fork of the Skykomish.

This is a delightful two tier falls flowing down and across an exposed basalt monolith, accessible on an informative interpretive trail at Port Ludlow.

Location: Port Ludlow, just a few miles north off US Highway 104 at the west end of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge.

Latitude: 47.9181
Longitude: 122.7086

Directions: From Highway 104, travel north on Paradise Bay Road just west of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge. Travel 5.8 miles to the "Village Center," of Port Ludlow, a private development. Turn left on Breaker Lane (the Kitsap Bank building will be on your left). Drive up the hill about 200 yards to a public parking area on your right, where a small kiosk is visible. Park here and walk back down the hill on pavement, bearing right, on the roadway in front of the Kitsap Bank and continue to the end of a small access road for a low "L" shaped office building. There you will see the trailhead just beyond a small parking area. The way to the falls is on the very nicely maintained loop Interpretive Trail of less than ½ mile in length. The falls is about half way in, regardless of which way you walk the loop.

Notes: The Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail is privately owned, developed and maintained, primarily for community residents, their guests and Resort guests. However, the public has been granted access, provided trail rules are observed (no smoking, dogs on leash and cell phones off). This moderate trail has a couple short steeper pitches with stairs. A series of informative signs with fun nature facts and local history make this contemplative trail seem shorter. There are several benches and forest viewing points, including one just above the falls. Please remember this is private property and that the trail is meticulously maintained by volunteers.

Ludlow Falls boasts of nearly year round flows, despite a small catchment (basin) area. The secret is the peat underlying the forested areas upstream which act as a "sponge" slowly releasing accumulated precipitation over the dryer summer season. The peat is also the source of the tannin which can give the stream a slight tea color. Ludlow Creek does show substantial flows during the rainy season. An interpretive sign bears witness to flooding in the area in recent past years.

All latitude and longitude references use the decimal degree format (DD.DDDD), and the Map Datum Reference is NAD83/WGS84 for those using GPS devices. If you are using a different lat/lon format or Map Datum Reference in your GPS you will want to change the settings to be compatible with our measurements to assure accuracy of locations.